Please drop me a line or two letting me know what you think of this or any of my other stories. Mssupertigz

Being Distracted Chapter 3 –

'We are gathered here to celebrate the life of one Charles Irvine Bartowski. One could describe him as many things but for those who knew him, he was first, a brother to Ellie, and soon brother in law to Devon. He was the best friend of one Morgan Grimes and confidant to Major John Casey. He was a loyal but his biggest achievement, biggest gift was that he met and fell in love with Sarah. Chuck was her life, her whole world. And we can share with her the loss that died too soon.

He fought for what he believed in and stood up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves. He believed in love and he did find love. When Sarah Walker entered his life. Chuck changed. He changed the way he saw life. He started to live the life he had wished to do but never allowed himself to let it happen. He never thought that he'd fall in love again and especially to someone like Sarah. If you asked Sarah, she'd say he changed her, but we know that she changed him.

She saw Chuck for who he was on the inside. Chuck wasn't a Bryce Larkin, but he was classically charming, he heart warmed her from the beginning. She would say that she fell for him on the very first day they met. Chuck kept his other life a secret from his friends and family and being a spy wasn't where he thought he'd be or become. But he took the challenge, the task, the duty and gave it his all. But this all came to an end one faithful night. He died for his country, he died for the underdog. He died, he died. Rest in Peace Chuck.

Sarah screamed as the casket was lowered into the dark cold ground. Sarah jumped up and tried to stop it. "Chuck! Chuck! Don't leave me."

Sarah sat up in a frantic state and looked around the room. It was still dark but what she had just awaken from didn't sit well with her. Glancing over to his clock, she saw their picture but even that day when the picture was taken wasn't going to calm that feeling she was now feeling. Catching her breath, she fell back down onto the pillow, but sleep was far from happening again. Grabbing her jeans, she quickly got dressed and drove back to the hospital. Sarah entered the ED doors and looked at the clock again. It had only been a few hours, but that dream felt so real. She couldn't let that dream become a reality. Sarah walked in a with a tray of coffees and saw Casey sitting beside Chucks bed. This might have been the first time that the veteran agent the older monarch of team Bartowski showed anything about how he felt about Chuck. He was tough on him, but he would deny saying this he saw potential in the younger kid and the intersect wasn't wasted on him. Sarah walked into the room and startled the veteran out his thoughts or his quick shut eye. Casey sat up and apologized for nodding off. "No need to apologize." Sarah placed the tray down.

Casey looked at his watch. Sarah looked at him. "I know it has only been a few hours, but I couldn't sleep." That was a lie, she had a nightmare and feared closing her eyes even when her body needed the rest. Sarah walked over and gave Casey one of the coffees, then walked back to the other side with her back facing the window. She looked at him as she took her chair and moved it closer to his bed. All she could see was the top of his forehead. She wanted to kiss him and let him know that she was there in her own way but chose not to. She backed off and sat down. "They just brought him in about an hour ago. They decided to keep him sedated for now. And keep him breathing through the tube. They will remove it in a day or so. They want the swelling to go down. And because they don't want him to move."

Sarah grabbed his hand but only briefly, then sat back. Casey noticed her shirt and she quickly closed her jacket. She smiled inwardly as she forgot to change her shirt. They sat in quiet only to have the sounds of the machines battle with their inner thoughts.

Casey finished his coffee and got up this time startling Sarah out of her silent vigil. "I'll leave you if that's okay. There's no point in both of us being here." Sarah looked up and gave Casey a straight smile. Casey stopped shy of the door. "This is Chuck we are talking about. He'll be back to his usual normal self. So enjoy the peace and quiet. Plus at least he can get some rest that he desperately needs."

Sarah hoped that Casey was right. She stood to her feet when Casey closed the door and left. She leaned in and hand brushed his hair back then kissed his forehead but that wasn't enough. Sarah wished she could kiss his lips but with the tube it made it hard. Sarah opted for his cheek and rested her head on his. She had her moment, but it wasn't enough.

A nurse popped in to check his vitals. She checked his vitals and put her clip board down. Sarah watched the nurse and everything she did to him. "We will remove his tube later today. The doctor will be around in a few hours. But it sounds like the surgery went well. Are you his wife?"

Sarah looked at her. "Pardon?"

"Are you his partner?"

"No, yes sorry. Yes, his partner." Sarah was sure she asked her if she was his wife. The nurse looked at her pager as it went off. "Sorry got to run, I'll be back in an hour or so to check on him."

Sarah sat back dodging a bullet. The nurse closed the door behind her, and Sarah looked at Chuck, that was one question she wasn't ready to answer and why not. What they had didn't have a title to it or did it? The job required them give what they had a title of a boy friend girlfriend and that was perfectly clear for over a year and half so why hearing it like she did make such a big deal. As she continued to look at Chuck, his last words rang through her thoughts.

Hours later

The doctor that operated on Chuck came by as well a Beckman who wanted to hear firsthand how one of her own was doing. The doctor reminded Sarah and Beckman that the surgery went well and that he'd have the tube removed but until the swelling subsided, they wouldn't know the extent of his injuries. And despite the broken leg and some internal injuries he was very lucky.

Beckman walked with the doctor to the hall and finished their conversation as Sarah waited as the nurse clean him up after they took the tube out of his throat. When she saw his face though bruised and cut due to falling out of the window. It was her Chuck.

The nurse adjusted his IV and Sarah looked up. "Just adjusting his pain meds. Making sure he's comfortable." Sarah sat down but kept an eye on the nurse making sure that wasn't doing something she shouldn't be doing. The nurse kept talking, seeing that Sarah was still watching her. "We can tell based in his heart rate and his other vitals, if he's calm or in pain even if he is unable to tell us himself. He's doing much better than he was earlier. So, there's no need to increase it too much." The nurse grabbed the used supplies and rolled them up in a large blue medical pad. "Thanks." Sarah said. The nurse left making the room quiet again.

Sarah waited till the door clicked shut and for the first time was able to kiss his lips. One because she was dying to but also to let him know that she was there. She sat back down and had those typical bed side conversations; you have with someone lying on a bed in a hospital but they always seemed to be one sided. Sarah tried to not talk shop talk but being a spy was in her blood. She left to stretch and grab a few coffees here and there but her hope to see his eyes open wasn't happening fast enough.

Sarah woke up when she heard someone in the room. She looked at her watch then looked up to see a new face looking at Chucks vitals. "Hi I'm Jessica. I'll be his nurse for tonight." "I'm Sarah. Nice to meet you."

"Will there be anyone else here to visit or stop by tonight?"

"Just the Major and I." Sarah was glad that she didn't have to lie about who she was professionally but the close call earlier today with the other nurse made her think about their relationship.

Day three

Sarah hadn't left Chucks side longer than a few hours and by then she had worn three different shirts of his. Even though hers was lying on his bed. Sarah called Ellie after she had been trying to get a hold of Chuck. She just told her that Chuck was busy. She said that was good and to tell him that they had extended their vacation and wouldn't be back till the end of the month. Sarah hoped that Chuck would be awake and up and moving around by then and she wouldn't have to lie about her brothers' close call a few nights ago.

Sarah returned at the same time she did every other night with only a few hours of sleep. As she sat there playing with his hand, she flipped through the pile of magazines Casey stole from the other lounges. Casey slipped home and got his sleep but stayed busy trying to find Tobias, but his mind wasn't on the mission. And surprisingly Beckman wasn't hounding the team, but she didn't want us to give up. Casey reminded her that once Chuck was awake, they would be back on the mission.

Early morning, Jessica came in again and checked Chuck's vitals then busied herself in the bathroom grabbing a basin and a washcloth. She placed it on the small table then looked at Sarah. "Would you like to…."

Sarah closed her magazine. "No."

"Ok, I may be too forward but I have been on this floor for years and have seen a lot of agents such as yourself and Mr. Carmichael and the chemistry that partners have and to be honest, I can tell that there is more to what people think is going on. And if I am wrong, I apologize. My husband was an agent an we fought hard to be together. Our relationship was like one of his missions, the sneaking around, the pretending, the secret rendezvous, which I liked." Sarah laughed. But despite the hardships and missed opportunities I wouldn't have changed anything, that is why I work so much when he is gone. But I know when I get that text, he's coming home to me."

Sarah got up and stood on the other side of his bed. "It's just that it is very new, even though we have been working together for almost two years."

"Well if it makes you feel better, I will go below his waist and you can do the rest."

Sarah blushed but, it did make her feel a bit less nervous.

Jessica folded back his blanket and washed his feet them his left leg as his right was in a cast. Then she did his left side then his right and covered up anything that might be forbidden territory. But Sarah couldn't control her mind and where it was taking her. Jessica rinsed out the washcloth and passed it to Sarah. "I'll be back in awhile." Sarah reached into the warm soapy suds and wrung the cloth out and lowered the blanket. She opened up his hospital gown and pulled it off him and placed it on a pile at the end of his bed. She placed the cloth on his chest and ran it up and down his naked skin, covering every crevasse and moved the cloth to the contour of his upper body. Sarah moved down one arm then the other then ran the cloth inside his neck in between rinsing and wringing out the cloth. This was a first and one that she'd want to repeat, but when she looked at Chuck she told him. "Don't get any ideas of me doing this to you when your awake, this is a one-time thing, you got that Chuck. A one-time thing." Sarah leaned down and kissed his freshly clean face. Jessica came back and had Sarah help her roll him over to get his back. Even the muscles on his back were impressive. Sarah quickly dried him off and rolled him back. Jessica left leaving Sarah alone with Chuck. Sarah adjusted his covers bringing them up just below his armpits.

Sarah sat down feeling that she needed a cigarette or something, to take the edge off. She grabbed a few bucks out of her jacket and walked to the door. She walked back and kissed him then grinned all the way to cafeteria and back. Sarah dropped her garbage into the waste basket and sat down and resumed her hand holding but this time it felt different. She looked up and it was the blinking that got her hopes up then the subtle open mouth and the slow turn of his face towards her. Sarah got up and leaned in. She covered his face with her hands as she kissed his lips and he kissed her back. Just that simple kiss made her heart swell and her toes to curl. She reached for the button and called for Jessica. Jessica came in and checked him over. Then called the doctor on shift.

Casey came around the corner and saw the nurses moving very fast in and out of Chuck's room. He moved in and saw more standing around his bed. Then he saw Sarah and her look was not that of something bad but something good was happening. "Mr. Carmichael do you know where you are?"

Chuck whispered his answer. "Yes, a hospital."

"Do you remember what happened?"

Sarah looked at him and subtly shook her head hoping that Chuck would not say the real reason even if this was a Governmental facility. "Yes, but I can't say."

"Very good, at least we know that his memory and motor skills are intact. Mr. Carmichael I am going to.."

"Chuck, call me chuck."

The doctor looked at him. "Ok Chuck. I am going to drag the tip of my pen on various places and you let me know if you can feel it."

"Okay."

Sarah stood back with Casey and watched the doctor tap Chuck's legs and drag his pen on various spots. All the time coming up with little or no sensation. The doctor came up to his upper thigh and Chuck flinched. "Chuck can you feel that?"

"A little?"

The doctor's colour came back into his face. "Good that's a good start. You rest and I'll be back tomorrow."

Chuck watched as the room emptied and Sarah and Casey followed the doctor. "I'll be right back Chuck."

Chuck turn his head and watched them walk out the room.

"So, Doc what's the verdict?"

"Major, Agent Walker, better than I thought at the beginning. He has no feeling below waist, but he did feel when I poked his lower back. So, I am guessing that it could be a pinched nerved or just the way he fell. Can either of you tell me how he fell or how he landed, it might give me an idea of why?"

Sarah remembered seeing him fall and reaching him but unable to help him. She looked at the doctor. "He fell facing the other person and landed chest to chest, it was dark, and I couldn't tell whose legs were which."

"That would explain the broken leg."

"When I found him, he was his was slightly hanging off to one side not moving. That's all I can tell you."

"We will get another x-ray in the morning. Could be a pressed disk, pinched nerve but the spine is intact. But let's not think otherwise, we will wait till we take another x ray before we decide on our next step."

"Thanks Doc."

Sarah walked back in as Casey followed. Chuck opened his eyes and smiled at Sarah and changed his smile for Casey. "It's good to see you Chuck."

"Well its only been a few hours, right?"

Sarah looked at Chuck. "No Chuck it has been almost three days?"

"Three days?" Chuck cringed at the way he reacted. "Yeah, the accident happened three days ago. And you have been out since then. You had surgery, you had some internal stuff and they reset your leg and the reason why you can't move it that there's still some swelling but with rest you'll be good as ever."

Chuck looked at Casey. He trusted the man with his life but this kind of news he had to look at Sarah to see what he was saying was true. "He's right Chuck and in a few days, you'll be up and at them."

Chuck wasn't convinced. The three went quiet. "I'll go and get some coffee and such." Casey quickly exited leaving Sarah to console Chuck. "I can't feel my legs Sarah." Sarah leaned in and held him close. "It will be okay. We just have to believe that it will." Sarah pulled back but Chuck looked into her eyes and that was all it took despite both having tears in their eyes. Their lips touched and for that moment nothing mattered, not a diagnosis or the fact that he couldn't move his legs. They shared a few more kisses then Sarah sat back down just in time as Casey returned quicker than they thought. Chuck grabbed his coffee and took a few sips then closed his eyes and fell back to sleep.

The veteran members of team Bartowski looked at each other. "He'll get through this, right?" Sarah looked at Casey as he grabbed his phone and reached for it then he mouthed Beckman. Sarah nodded and he took the call outside not to disrupt Chuck.

The next morning Chuck was exhausted with all the tests, scans and x rays but despite the distractions of leaving his room Sarah never left his side. It could have been that it was her job to protect him, but Chuck quickly figured out that this was no regular hospital not like the one his sister and Devon worked at. While they waited, Sarah let Chuck know that his sister called but knew nothing of his accident and they felt that it would be best not to say anything till they needed to. Chuck agreed but he didn't like the idea of lying to his sister about something like this.

Two days later

Sarah walked in behind a familiar face that she had seen on Chuck's floor before and she knew that Chuck wasn't going to be happy. Sarah hurried up to get into Chuck's room before this person, to hopefully cushion the blunt of what was to come. "Ok Mr. Carmichael up and at them. It's time to get those muscles working." She was all energy and her personality, was even more livelier but Chuck wasn't having it. But even after his covers (he was glad that Casey brought something for him to wear) were pulled down and he looked at Sarah as she came in. She couldn't help him now. Kourtney was her name as Chuck looked at her badge. She helped him sit up and move to the edge of the bed, but it when it came to get him into the chair it was more of a lift, slid and plop into the wheelchair. Chuck reached up to grab Sarah's hand and she grabbed it but lost her grip when Kourtney sped up. Sarah followed and grabbed a chair and sat down in the therapy room as Kourtney and another therapist helped Chuck to lie on his back. They were careful as his stitches from his surgery limited his movement. Chuck laid on his back as the two-therapist lifted and pushed his legs back. At first, he didn't feel anything and he was fine with that but when they moved their grip and tried another motion Chuck screamed. Sarah stood up. "It's ok Agent Walker we want to hear that. That means that there is feeling going to the right spots." Sarah wasn't convinced but she liked hearing that he was getting some feeling back.

They finished up and wheeled him back to his bed. Sarah walked over to him and kissed him. "Morning."

"Morning. How you are feeling?"

"Better now that your here. They sure don't wait for you to rest after surgery?"

"No, they don't."

Sarah went to sit down but Chuck grabbed her hand and pulled her close. Sarah smiled. As their lips met it was perfect. The kiss was soft then it became more than that. Sarah finally broke the kiss and rested her head on his, then backed away. Chuck looked at her. "You haven't slept, have you?"

Sarah diverted her eyes. "Enough."

"Liar. Nice shirt by the way." Chuck smiled. Sarah looked down at his shirt. "Yeah sorry I kind of got into the habit of grabbing your shirt to sleep in and I would just head back here so I really never thought of it."

"Ok, that's fine, it's looks good on you or rather you look good in it."

Nurse Jessica walked in and surprised Sarah. "Hey. You're not on nights?"

"No, I had a few days off then back on days."

Chuck looked at her. "Sorry Chuck this is Jessica, she has been your nurse at night."

"Nice to meet you."

"Like wise."

"You feeling okay. Pain levels?"

"Maybe something." Chuck looked at his IV.

"Yeah he just got back from this first therapy session."

"Oh boy how did that go?"

"There were screams."

"A good sign."

"Exactly." Sarah looked at Chuck.

"Hey, I do see how my screams are a good sign, but they did hurt me."

Jessica looked at Sarah. "Men."

"Totally."

The two laughed while Chuck looked at them not wanting to add to their laughter at his expense. Jessica left and Sarah stood up to console Chuck but missed her opportunity as Casey came in with a pile of files. "Ok Chuck. We know that your brain is intact so let's get to work." Chuck looked at Sarah. Sarah shrugged her shoulders. Casey plopped the files onto his table. "Can you look at these files and see if you flash. We got some intel from Irbid and a lot has happened since we got Agent Benjamin."

"And where is Agent Benjamin?"

"Beckman took her and Hassan back to DC, we weren't able to watch them like we wished we could. And with Hendricks and Tobias still unaccounted for our focus is on them. Plus, Beckman's 'take some time' has now expired once she heard that you were awake."

"Wow, and I thought that she didn't care."

Casey grunted as Chuck opened the first file.

The three worked together around Chuck's bed as Chuck relayed what he got out the files he looked at. "Well this file has intel on 14 provinces or counties that are under the governorates. They are then divided into smaller districts totalling 60 then those are divided into even smaller subdivision. So, it looks like each one has been taken over by the militants or will soon be taken over if this plan is implemented." "So, who is behind this?"

"All I got was the name Bashar al Assad."

"The same name you originally flashed on."

"Yeah, it looks like from the wire tap that there were talks or are going to be talks."

"When?"

Chuck shook his head. "Maybe the tap we have on Hendricks might give us something. Casey, did you bring me my laptop?"

Casey looked up. "No, but I will bring it when I come back."

"So, what do we know?"

Chuck yawned. "Sorry."

"No, that's okay Chuck, you need a break and Casey needs to go get your laptop. Let's take a break and resume later this evening." Sarah looked at Casey.

Casey got up. "Sound like a good idea. Ok, get some rest and we will resume later."

Sarah grabbed the files and the ones that Chuck was looking at. Sarah walked over to the curtains and closed them. Then came back and covered Chuck up. "Get some sleep."

"You going?"

"No."

"Okay."

Sarah stood closer and kissed him. "Get some sleep."

"You too?"

"I might."

Chuck closed his eyes, but Sarah could see his eyes still fluttering even when his eyes were closed. She kissed each of his eye lids then his lips. Sarah sat down and covered herself with Chuck's extra blanket.

Week Later

Chuck looked up at the clock on the wall. In less than 10 minutes his now regular routine would start. As it had been for the last week. Kourtney would be all bubbly and cheerful and would go through her stretching and pulling. Chuck rolled over and put his legs over the edge. He had more feeling in his lower back, but his legs were well, one was too weak and the other too heavy with a cast. He forced himself to sit straight and make the effort to get up before she arrived, but he was too slow and Kourtney swooped him up and took him down the hall.

Chuck made his displeasures known and so Kourtney finished early and headed out as Sarah came walking in. She saw the look on his face and for this was the first time that she wasn't there. Maybe that is why he felt the way he did, or he was tired of the whole thing.

Chuck looked up and quickly looked away. "Morning Chuck."

Sarah dropped her bag and sat down beside him. "Sorry I'm late. Was talking with Beckman."

"Ok."

"She sends greetings and speedy recovery."

"Thanks."

Chuck fiddled with his gait belt that Kourtney had tied around his waist. Frustrated Chuck torn it off and threw it. Then he tried to get up but fell back into his chair. Chuck grabbed the poles with both hands and tried to pull himself up. His upper body strength was the only thing keeping him from falling back. Losing his grip once he slid and caught the walking bar under his armpit. Grimacing slightly, he got and tried to stand by himself.

Sarah watched Chuck struggle. He looked so lost like he did when she found him on the beach after finding out about the intersect. Sarah gave him a few minutes then stood up and lended a hand. Sarah had seen enough even after Chuck brushed her hand away. "You don't need to be here; I am totally capable of doing this myself and I don't think that watching the cripple has anything to do with National Security or the Intersect." Sarah waited for a lull in Chuck pity party. "You done, feeling sorry for yourself!"

"Maybe a few more seconds of self-absorbed pity."

Sarah walked behind Chuck and placed a kiss in the middle of his back. She waited for him to turn and face her. She kissed him softly. "And for the record. I have no place to go or do I want to go. I'm not leaving."

Chuck remembered lying there after he had fallen and seeing Sarah's face. He faintly remembered talking to her and whether he told her he loved her. He looked at her and even if he did, she hadn't said anything. She kissed him again and headed back to his room.

Chuck crawled into bed as Sarah grabbed his blanket. Chuck reached for her hand. He smooched over and Sarah crawled in beside him. Laying on her side she placed her hand in his and cradled his chest. "I'm sorry. It's not been my ideal way to spend time with you." "Chuck you just woke up and you just had major surgery, so I don't know what you expect."

"I should be."

"Be what Chuck? The mission can wait. Casey's been watching and listening, and we have talked to Sophie and Hassan and their story hasn't changed. We will get you home and maybe that will change your mood."

Chuck chuckled then laid his head down more into his pillow. Sarah looked up and saw that he was asleep. She grabbed her jacket and headed back to Chuck's to maybe get some sleep herself.

Sarah made sure she was there early for Chuck's next session, as the day before didn't go as planned. Sarah walked towards the therapy room and was stopped by Kourtney. "Hey Sarah, can you tell Chuck that I have to cancel. I have another appointment that takes precedence." "No, that ok Chuck might be a bit relieved, after yesterday."

"He's already in there." Sarah smiled and watched Kourtney quickly disappear with another therapist. Sarah saw Chuck lying on his back with his eyes closed. Slowly opening the door, she locked it and dropped her bag on the nearest chair. Looking at him she figured that she'd have a little fun. Chuck heard some noise but never raised his head. Sarah lowered her voice not to be recognized. Sarah walked over to Chuck and stood at his head. That's when she knew for sure that his eyes were closed. She also noticed his muscular arms and how snug his muscle shirt was. Sarah squeezed his shoulders which got a slight response. She moved down his arms twisting and raising his arms, just like Kourtney had done for days. No matter what she did he kept his eyes closed. Waking around to his feet she slid onto the table as she had seen Kourtney do many times. But this time it was just her and Chuck and she figured that she'd go a bit further to see how he'd react.

Sarah lifted his leg then bent it at the knee and pressed his leg forward. She did a few rotations starting with his right leg as much as she could do with his cast then she straddled his left leg and did the same with his left leg. Sarah slid her hand up his leg past his knee towards his waist. Sarah saw that he was feeling a bit uncomfortable, but he didn't say anything. Sarah asked him to roll into his stomach, and again he did what he had done every other time like he had memorized his routine. Sarah worked his lower legs then straddled his hips and started massaging his hips and lower back. His mood changed and he finally started to relax. Sarah slid her warm hands up his back and Chuck raised his head as this was not part of the therapy session. Sarah continued, enjoying how Chuck was reacting. Sarah was lost in thought until she heard Chuck's voice. "Uh Kourtney, I'm a little uncomfortable right now and I think that I better head back. I feel great so."

Sarah spoke for the first time. "You don't like?"

"Can't lie but this isn't what should be happening, and I am kind of seeing someone and if she walked in she'd get the wrong idea."

"It's innocent."

"Maybe at your end." Sarah blushed.

"Ok I'll stop but one more thing."

"And what's that?"

Sarah leaned closer to him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

Chuck recognized the perfume. Chuck turned which surprised the both of them. He looked at her as she laid facing him. "I'm so glad it was you."

Sarah could tell that Chuck wasn't kidding when he said that he was feeling something. Sarah leaned closer and kissed him hard. Chuck slid his arms around her and continued to kiss her. He rolled her into her back which felt perfect. Sarah held him close as they made out on the therapy bed. Sarah wrapped her leg over his and their kisses added to the moment. Chuck looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was coming. Sarah grabbed his face. "Its just you and me."

Chuck looked at her. "For how long?"

"As long as forever."

Chuck lowered his head and kissed her hard. He finally rolled onto his back as Sarah rested her head on his chest. "Do you do this often?"

"What, have a make out session with my boyfriend?"

"Well that and take over someone's therapy session."

"Kourtney had another appointment that was I guess more important than yours."

"Well it wasn't too bad."

Sarah leaned on her elbow. Then looked at Chuck, all of Chuck. "I guess not."

Chuck lowered his eyes. "Sorry."

"Don't be, something to look forward to."

Sarah rolled off the bed and grabbed the chair. Chuck put his feet on the floor. Sarah knew that he had built up a bit of confidence and decided to walk back to his room. Chuck used the walking bar till he got to the door then grabbed the wheelchair and pushed it through the door. Chuck slowly passed through the doorway and turned down the hall. It was slow, and the cast didn't help. Chuck leaned against the railing, Sarah turned the wheelchair around and Chuck sat down. Sarah crouched down beside him. "You're doing great."

Chuck smiled slightly. Sarah knew that he wasn't done. Chuck got back up and slowly walked back to his room. Sarah helped him to his bed and but as he turned to crawl in, he kissed her. Sarah welcomed the kiss and lingered a little longer but feared that someone would walk in. Sarah covered Chuck up just in time as Casey walked in with coffee and Danishes. Chuck was awfully happy. "Looks like someone worked up an appetite. Sarah swallowed hard as Chuck diverted his eyes. "Chuck just finished his therapy session."

"So, it is working?"

Chuck looked at Sarah. "Yeah, in more ways than one."

"Good the sooner your back to work the sooner we can say goodbye to this mission."

The three enjoyed their time then went straight work. Chuck was glad that Casey had brought his laptop. When Chuck couldn't sleep, he looked into some of those questions that seemed to pop up.

Casey stood up and started pacing. Sarah and Chuck knew that it was mission mode. "Ok so, where are we?"

"Agent Benjamin was on some covert clandestine operation or mission and her partner Jeremy Hendricks was secretly working with Thomas Jefferies, then met Tobias Snyder. Who is the only man we now know that has access to a large quantity a money. Especially when his parents own half of the import export that enter the U.S. And I also found out that his god father is Syed Hasan Nama."

Casey and Sarah stopped what they are doing. "What did you just say?"

"Syed is Tobias's god father."

"How?"

"I found out last night, that Tobias's mom is Syed's sister. I was looking into his family and one of his dad's dealing was an oil contract in Damascus and when I looked into newspaper clippings his mom was in one of the photos, it said that they were happy to see 'their daughter' had return to her homeland. Then I read another, and she was interviewed where she mentioned that Syed was her sons god father."

"Well that explains where his money is coming from. What else?"

"If Benjamin knew that something was going on and she had to report to someone, but who that someone is I don't know?"

"Jefferies?"

"The head of the CIA?" Chuck looked at Sarah.

"But wasn't Jefferies one of those guys that Beckman was talking about."

"The ones that know what is going on but would deny knowing anything about said mission.

"Exactly. Okay so if this is a boy club then why did they send in Agent Benjamin?"

"She must have been told by someone that the Militants were going to protect their land from whatever. They send in this company and have her be the face. She meets Hassan and things develop from there. She starts to snoop around and finds some intel that she's not sure what to do with. Benjamin finds out that Hendricks has been meeting with Tobias who then introduces him to his godfather Syed Hasan Nama and Hendricks convinces him to join forces based on what was mentioned during this meeting. Remember Beckman said that nothing was documented but that doesn't mean that there wasn't anything written down. We can assume that it was under another name but when you, Chuck flashed on Tertia Optio and Syed Hassan Nama, we now know that it is all connected. But what we need to find out is the where and when and the why?"

"We have the 'why'. Timber Sycamore was or is a training program that the CIA wanted to get started or has started. Timber Sycamore was a classified weapon supply training program that is being run by the CIA to support the ARAB Intelligence Services. Our money is going to fund or is already being used to fund this possible blood bath."

"And Benjamin found out and?"

"That not all of it was legal or the truth. One of Hendricks taps that you found out Casey mentioned that two dozen US commandos arrived in Irbid in some special souped up Black Hawk Helicopters. Then word got out that it had killed an Iraqi who was supplying insurgents from across the Syrian border. Sophie finds this out to be a secret that they wanted to keep quiet. Hendricks wants it to stay a secret so he torches her place, she goes into hiding. He wants her dead to keep the secret quiet."

"Maybe but why didn't he kill her when he had her weeks ago?"

"Maybe she knows more than we think she does?"

The team called it a day and Chuck had Casey look into the helicopters and who funded them and what does the CIA have on them.

Week's end

Sarah grabbed Chuck's crutches and closed the door of her car as Chuck stood in the same place, he did weeks ago when he saw Sarah standing in the parking lot. He took a moment then slowly walked the path to his door. He wanted to be home but he wasn't happy to wait for his sister to return after she called and he told her that he had been in a 'car' accident. Chuck had to get Sarah on the phone to verify that he had surgery and that leg was broken but was on the mend. Chuck would have to fake his broken leg a little longer. As it was healing nicely. His sister would have done the math and would have figured out that the time it takes to heal a broken leg would not be up before they came back.

Casey made sure that one of the Nerd Herder looked the part. He had a little fun driving around and crashing into it to make it look like it had been in a car wreck. At least it would keep the nerds at bay and for those to like to inquire. Casey also told Big Mike that Chuck was on his way home from an install in Black Rock and was on his way home when he was hit. Big Mike and Morgan believed every word.

Chuck rested and was glad to have Sarah stay the night. She was glad to. Chuck worked on the case at home while Sarah and Casey worked from Castle. Second night at home, Chuck looked at the clock and it was late, so he slipped into his room to grab a nap and take some of the pressure off his lower back. Chuck started to doze off despite the wind and rain picking up and blowing things around. Sarah turned up one of the feeds and heard Hendricks phone ring. The two listened and heard Hendricks say that he knew that Chuck survived. Someone tipped him off who was there that night. And that he was on his way to Chuck's place. How he found that out sent fear into Sarah and Casey's bones. Sarah grabbed her phone.

"Hi oh?"

"Chuck, they know who you are and that you survived the fall. Get out now. Chuck get out now!"

Chuck sits up and hears the commotion outside his place and slips out of his room and down the hall, climbing out of Ellie and Devon's window. He looked to his left and knew he would be to outrun them so he had to climb up and over to Casey's side. Chuck slowly climbed the far lattice wall. He had always walked through the front door but never snuck in from the back. Chuck climbed over and slipped landing hard on his back and blacked out for a short while. Chuck finally came to but couldn't move. He laid under the lattice hearing Kendrick and another whom he now knew as Tobias. "He's here somewhere."

Chuck heard another voice. "Nothing here boss, his place is empty."

"Hendricks' we got company."

Chuck could see Hendricks through the lattice wall, and he didn't look pleased. "Ok lets move but have someone stay back just in case he turns up."

"Yes boss."

Chuck laid back down as Hendricks walked up to the wall and shone his flashlight through the slats. Then he turned and walked over to a car that had pulled up and he slipped into it driving off. Chuck took a deep breath as the wind and rain continued to fall. Chuck tried to get up and finally managed to sit in a chair. He got his breath and tried to reach for Casey's door. He looked up and saw Casey's lights in his place turn on and as he looked up at the open door there stood….